Senior International Payroll Consultant at Kontak Recruitment

• If you have built your career navigating the complexity of multi-country payroll, thriving at the intersection of technical expertise, systems knowledge and client consulting, this is the kind of role that rarely comes along. A fast-growing international HR and payroll consultancy headquartered in the Netherlands is expanding its global team and is looking for a Senior International Payroll Consultant based remotely in South Africa. This business works with organisations across the world, solving complex payroll challenges and delivering best-practice solutions across borders, industries and business sizes.
• The team brings together payroll professionals from across the globe, each strengthening the collective knowledge base and staying ahead of shifting international regulations. Consultants are exposed to varied assignments each year, working across different payroll models including in-house, hybrid and outsourced environments. Ambition is celebrated here, independence is trusted, and the work is anything but routine.
• This role goes well beyond processing payroll runs. The successful candidate will act as a subject matter expert across multiple countries, guide clients through system transitions and implementations, identify opportunities for process improvement and automation, and build trusted relationships with stakeholders at every level. If you are the kind of professional who sees a payroll discrepancy as a puzzle worth solving and a system migration as a project worth leading, this role will feel like home.

What's in it for you

• Fully remote working arrangement from South Africa for a global organisation
• Exposure to international payroll environments across multiple countries and industries
• Varied assignments spanning SMEs through to large multinational organisations
• Opportunities to work across leading global payroll platforms and HRIS systems
• A consultative role that rewards initiative, expertise and independent thinking
• Long-term career development with a business built around growing payroll professionals
• A genuine path from initial contract to indefinite engagement for the right person

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Business Management, Commerce or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of payroll experience with at least 3 years focused on international payrolls
• Demonstrated experience processing payroll across multiple countries
• Experience working with outsourced payroll providers and managing vendor relationships
• Payroll implementation or payroll migration project experience
• Experience supporting payroll audits and statutory reporting
• Strong knowledge of international payroll compliance and legislation
• Experience with payroll reporting and payroll analytics
• Proficiency in several of the following systems: ADP GlobalView, ADP Streamline, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Payroll, Workday, Oracle HCM, UKG, Sage, SD Worx, Dayforce, CloudPay, Papaya Global, Deel, Neeyamo or similar platforms
• Advanced Excel and Power Query skills
• Fluency in English is required; German, French, Italian or other European languages are advantageous
• SAIPA, CIMA, SAICA, AGA or similar professional designations are advantageous
• Professional payroll qualifications are advantageous
• Payroll experience in the United Kingdom and Netherlands is highly advantageous
• Experience in a payroll bureau, global payroll consultancy or multi-client environment is advantageous

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end international payroll processes across multiple countries and legal entities
• Coordinate payroll activities with external payroll providers to ensure accurate and timely delivery
• Resolve complex payroll queries escalated by employees, clients and business stakeholders
• Support payroll year-end activities, statutory reporting and payroll audits
• Ensure compliance with local labour legislation, tax legislation and statutory requirements across multiple jurisdictions
• Participate in and lead payroll implementation projects for new countries and entities
• Assist with payroll migrations and transitions between outsourced and in-house payroll models
• Coordinate testing, user acceptance testing and go-live activities for payroll implementations
• Document payroll processes, implementation procedures and control frameworks
• Deliver payroll training and knowledge transfer to internal teams and client stakeholders
• Identify opportunities to automate payroll processes and improve operational efficiency
• Develop payroll dashboards and management reports for internal and client use
• Standardise payroll procedures across multiple countries and entities
• Work across HRIS, payroll and Time and Attendance systems, supporting integrations between HR, Finance and payroll platforms
• Maintain employee master data accuracy and troubleshoot payroll system issues
• Act as the payroll subject matter expert for assigned countries and clients
• Communicate payroll changes and legislative updates to relevant stakeholders
• Present payroll insights, findings and recommendations to management and client leadership